Nord Anglian international schools - anyone?

[atonofwashing]

Hello,
We are currently looking at international schools in Hong Kong for DS. He will be 9 in July.
NAIS have schools the world over.
Does anyone have experience of them, either in HK or other countries?
Do you like them? What are the strengths and weaknesses?
Are they academic hot houses? Do you like the pastoral care? Has your child enjoyed studying there? Made good friends?
The websites look great, but would love to hear from anyone with kids in one of their schools.
We are in uk at the moment, but hope to go out on a school hunt soon.
Thanks for your help,
Atonofwashing.

DS still at KIS. He's doing fine now.
We did ask that he move class as he was being bullied very badly.
Things better now and he's happier I think.
I do like the teachers there. They seem like a good sort. And they are happy to build a relationship with both kids and parents too.
We have a much better relationship with KIS teachers than we ever did with the state primary ds attended in London.

We will remain at KIS for now. Unsure of how long we remain in HK.
I do like the UK curriculum over pyp, so even if we stay and move schools, it would be to one that offers that system.

I suppose the only downside is that it's such a small school that they find it hard to represent themselves in sports competitions. Bigger schools have a bigger choice of sports and a larger number of players. Still, the head is trying to grow the school. And more subjects will be introduced over time.

DS is rather proud to go there and has never complained.

By the way, I think bullying is rife in HK schools.

HTH.

I just withdrew my son from a nord anglica school in florida. There was an issue at the school where my son was an innocent bystander. School completely overreacted. Denied my child due process. Interrogated by two adult males for over an hour without parental knowledge or consent. This is a big corporation run like one where profits are king and the kids and education are of no concern. Take your kids and run! Would never recommend this school. I took my concerns all the way to Hong Kong to the headquarters and also faced a brick wall there. They simply could care less. My only option now is a legal one. The sad part is that how the teachers, dean, principal and headmaster acted is shameful. Corporations should not be in the business of educating our children. So, my advice and my opinion, is to select another educational option for your child!

I have heard mixed reviews about Nord Anglia Hong Kong.
A few friends have removed their kids because of bullying.
Others rather like it, but have been annoyed about the high fees, new unfinished campus with no completion date in sight.
There was an issue about another nais on the island that went awry...

We will not be sending DC there.
I can't comment on security on campus at nais HK.

Nord Anglia have ruined the school my DC went to. They don’t go there any more. TJ - sadly, what you’ve written doesn’t surprise me.

Our experience with Nord Anglia was not a positive one either. School has seen a dramatic decline in the previous 3 years. We are now removing our children.

I might start another thread. Everyone I speaks to (large international community) seems to have a real downer on NAE at the moment and cite them as the reason for the decline in their DCs’ schools since 2015. Personally, I think they’ve grown too quickly and are way too penny pinching.

I know Nord Anglia have just taken over the British School in Kuala Lumpur and there are unhappy parents, they were promised no fee increases, but they have been hit with unexplained "Resource fees" (and other nonsense, lot of staff leaving (inc the primary principal)

Mind you, the previous management used to make their staff do their CPD on public holidays, so it might not be all bad if that stops!

NAE have a variable reputation. As 'for profit' schools, the marketing budget appears to trump all others! They have some super staff, but in general there is a high turnover at school level (particularly in management) and I don't think they offer the 'premium education' they profess to do.

No International School is perfect, and there are some good NAE schools around, but IMHO they are the exception rather than the rule.